As the border regions of the Irish countryside fall prey once again to attempted bomb attacks, we can expect the words "dissident republican" to crop up more and more in the press. Unfortunately, while the term has become common currency in the media, it carries with it the danger of sidelining voices that reject Sinn Féin but want to see peace continue.

Given the recent spate of militant activity – a bomb in County Armagh, three attacks in one night in Derry and, on Wednesday 16 September, a bomb scare in County Fermanagh – many are now wondering if republican splinter groups present a greater danger than had previously been thought. The greatest fear is that they will begin to gain support from disaffected Sinn Féin voters, allowing them to build a constituency that would support a return to the guerrilla campaign of the past.

However, even if Sinn Féin's support does start to flag, being a "dissident" does not necessarily mean supporting violence.

Sinn Féin, of course, has condemned those who wish to continue the war, most notably when Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, took the enormous step – for a former IRA commander – of describing the Continuity IRA as "traitors to the island of Ireland" after they shot dead Police Service of Northern Ireland constable Stephen Carroll.

McGuinness's comments were broadly welcomed in both Ireland and Britain, but they infuriated hardline republicans. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, leader of Republican Sinn Féin, the party linked to the Continuity IRA and formed in 1986 after disputes with the Adams leadership, told Henry MacDonald: "In my view, McGuinness has abused words."

This is to be expected – naturally, people like Ó Brádaigh consider Sinn Féin to have sold out – so there is some logic to the hardline position that says it is actually Sinn Féin that are the dissidents in the nationalist tradition. Nevertheless, Sinn Féin represents the largest group of people that refers to itself as republican, so if one takes its claims at face value there, is there no more to dissent than nostalgia for bombs and bullets?

Of course not. There is another kind of "dissident republican" – one that doesn't support a return to war. In fact, the very term is distinctly unhelpful, but not for the reasons that Sinn Féin would claim.

Former IRA prisoners such as Tommy McKearney and Anthony McIntyre have been prominent critics of Sinn Féin in their own ways; McKearney from the left and McIntyre saying that Sinn Féin has destroyed republicanism. Neither man, however, supports a return to arms.

Similarly, the small socialist republican party Éirígí has been making headlines in Ireland, particularly after a former member was arrested in connection with paramilitary activity. However, accusations that Éirígí has, or plans to develop, a military wing appear wide of the mark.

To quote McKearney: "There is a significant constituency that is less than impressed with the Good Friday Agreement for a variety of reasons but who are certainly not supportive to an armed campaign." McKearney adds that dissent does break down into two broad groups: those like the Real IRA and Continuity IRA, who "think they can re-ignite a conflict", and "on the other hand, groups like Éirígí, various individuals such as myself and a swath of Sinn Féin members who have left the party" who do not want a return to war.

Unfortunately, what is not clear is just what alternative to Sinn Féin exists for those in the latter camp: the party does have a huge electoral mandate and clearly represents the majority of nationalists and republicans. Additionally, it did deliver a settlement that has brought an end to three decades of tit-for-tat violence, and Northern Ireland is finally benefiting from some stability.

One objection to the peace process is that it has resulted in a Northern Ireland Assembly that is inherently sectarian, which rewards communal divisions instead of healing them. This is true, but it does not mean that principled opposition can easily flower among those who feel Sinn Féin does not hold the key to a permanent settlement. Certainly, it is far from clear that there is any room in electoral politics for anyone who seeks to unite "dissenters".

However, as long as dissent from Sinn Féin is viewed as the sole preserve of the likes of the Real IRA, then there is a very good chance that a space for the peaceful opposition will never develop.